The United Kingdom has officially thrown its support behind Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, becoming the latest major country to align itself with Rabat’s vision for resolving the long-standing territorial dispute. The move marks a significant shift in British foreign policy and adds further international momentum to Morocco’s proposal, which seeks to grant the region limited self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty.
In a joint statement issued after high-level talks between UK and Moroccan officials, the British government recognized the autonomy initiative as a “serious and credible” framework for a political solution to the decades-old conflict. The UK joins the United States, France, Spain, and several Arab nations in backing the plan, which Morocco first presented to the United Nations in 2007.
“The UK welcomes Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to move the political process forward through its autonomy proposal,” the statement said. British officials also emphasized the need for a lasting and mutually acceptable resolution, in line with United Nations frameworks.
Morocco has long maintained that its autonomy plan is the most viable path to peace in Western Sahara, a region it controls in large part but which is also claimed by the Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed separatist movement seeking full independence. The dispute has persisted since Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975, triggering a conflict that has yet to be resolved despite decades of UN-led negotiations.
Rabat hailed the UK’s endorsement as a diplomatic victory, noting that it reinforces growing global recognition of the autonomy proposal as a solution that respects territorial integrity while offering regional stability. “This support strengthens Morocco’s international standing and the credibility of our vision for peace and development in the Sahara region,” said a senior Moroccan government official.
The UK’s move is also expected to deepen economic and strategic ties between the two countries. In recent years, Britain and Morocco have expanded cooperation in trade, renewable energy, security, and education. Analysts suggest this diplomatic alignment could further solidify the UK’s presence in North African affairs following Brexit.
Meanwhile, the Polisario Front and its supporters have criticized the UK’s decision, calling it a betrayal of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. They argue that any sustainable resolution must include a referendum—a demand that has stalled peace efforts for years.
The United Nations continues to support a negotiated settlement but has struggled to bridge the gap between Morocco’s autonomy offer and the Polisario’s call for full independence. With the UK now backing Morocco’s stance, pressure may increase on other undecided nations to take a position on the issue.
As global geopolitics shift and alliances evolve, the UK’s endorsement signals a turning point in the Western Sahara debate—one that may have lasting implications for regional diplomacy and international law.
Swifteradio.com
